method for managing the reading of multimedia content.

Abstract

TITLE: Method for managing the playback of multimedia content. The invention relates to a management entity (MNG) for accessing segmented content, the segments being capable of being downloaded on request, via a communication link (LI1), at times, called reference times. The request to access a segment includes a first encoding bitrate chosen from a set of available first encoding bitrates. The received segments can be read at a reading speed that can vary relative to a reference reading speed. The entity (MNG) comprises: a. An estimation module capable of estimating the bandwidth that will be required for downloading the first segments during accelerated playback; b. A selection module capable of, upon detection of a reading speed other than the reference reading speed, selecting a first encoding bitrate that takes into account the result of the estimation and the current bandwidth. Figure 1

Description

Description Title of the invention: Method for managing the reading of content multimedia. technical field

[0001] The field of the invention is that of digital multimedia content, namely digital audio and / or video content, also called audiovisual content.

[0002] — The invention relates particularly to a method for managing the playback of a multimedia content.

[0003] — The content referred to here is content broken down into segments associated with several respective encoding rates selectable on requests issued from a device multimedia stream playback.

[0004] — A reading device refers to any device capable of receiving multimedia streams in the form of segments, for example a set-top box, a mobile phone, a tablet, etc.

[0005] — Content is, for example, on-demand television content, content of video on demand, etc. State of the art

[0006] There are now many devices for playing audiovisual content allowing a user to access multimedia content such as video at the Video on demand (VOD), television on demand (TVOD), etc. Playback devices are adapted to receive digital content in the form of multimedia data and to make a report on a reporting device.

[0007] — Some reading devices now offer the possibility of reading content in slight acceleration, for example 1.05 times faster (noted x1.05) than normal, or 1.1 times faster (x1.1). We're talking about a true accelerated reading mode here, not of an accelerated navigation mode within content. The objective of this reading mode accelerated viewing is the ability to view content in a slightly shorter time than the actual duration of the content, for example, to save time.

[0008] — This accelerated reading poses a problem when the content is segmented content, Each segment is available at multiple encoding bitrates. Such content is, For example, content downloaded in adaptive streaming mode. The MPEG- standard DASH (for English “Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP”, in French “ Dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP”) is a format standard for audiovisual broadcasting over the Internet; this standard is based on content preparation in different representations of varying quality and flow rate, divided into segments of short duration (on the order of a few seconds), also called "chunks" by The person skilled in the art. Each of these segments is made available individually via an exchange protocol between the playback terminal and the media content provider server. The primary protocol is HTTP, but other protocols (e.g., FTP) can also be used. The segment organization and associated parameters are published in a description file in XML format. The principle underlying this standard is that the MPEG-DASH client estimates the bandwidth available for receiving segments, and, depending on the fill level of its receive buffer, chooses, for the next video segment to be loaded, a representation whose bitrate: - ensures the best possible quality, - and allows a reception time compatible with the uninterrupted rendering of content. Thus, to adapt to varying network conditions, particularly in terms of bandwidth, existing adaptive download solutions allow the playback device to switch from one version of the content encoded at a certain bitrate to another encoded at a different bitrate during the download process. Each version of the content is divided into video segments of equal duration. To enable continuous playback on the playback device, each segment must reach the terminal before its scheduled playback time. The perceived quality associated with a segment increases with its size, expressed in bits, but at the same time, larger segments require more transmission time and therefore present a greater risk of not being received in time for continuous playback. The playback device must therefore find a compromise between the overall quality of the content and its uninterrupted playback, carefully selecting the next segment to download from among the various encoding bitrates offered. To achieve this, several algorithms exist for selecting content quality based on available bandwidth, which can employ strategies that are more or less aggressive, or more or less secure. In an adaptive streaming (HAS) environment, the video segment selection algorithm uses the duration of each segment to determine the quality of the stream to be downloaded and displayed. Consequently, when playback is accelerated, the buffer may empty before the next segment is even received. This defect results in playback issues (freezing, etc.) on the display device. The invention offers a solution that does not present the disadvantages of the prior art. The invention To this end, from a functional perspective, the invention relates to a method for managing access to segmented content, the segments being capable of being downloaded on request, via a communication link, at specific times, referred to as reference times. The request to access a segment includes a first encoding bitrate chosen from a set of available first encoding bitrates. The received segments can be read at a reading speed that can vary relative to a reference reading speed. The method comprises, a step to estimate the bandwidth that will be needed for the tele- loading the first segments during accelerated playback, upon detection of a reading speed other than the reading speed of reference, a step of selecting a first encoding bitrate taking into account takes into account the result of the estimation and the current bandwidth A change in segment read speed results in shorter intervals between segment reception times than when segments are received at normal (or reference) speed. These shorter download times result in higher bandwidth usage than the encoding rate of the first segments indicated in the description file. The invention proposes that, when the reference speed is modified, the encoding rate selection method in the description file is modified to account for the fact that the bandwidth occupied by the segment to be downloaded will not correspond to the encoding rate indicated in the description file. In the case of accelerated reading, the bandwidth used for downloading segments will be greater than during reading at the reference speed.The invention thus makes it possible to select an encoding rate for a segment that ensures uninterrupted reading of the content. Note that the estimation step can be performed before or after the detection of the change in reading speed. The modification may consist of accelerating the reading speed. According to a first embodiment, if the reading speed is greater than the reference reading speed, the first data rate selection step includes a sub-step of obtaining new encoding rates, called second encoding rates, based on the initial encoding rates and obtained in taking into account the time between the moments of downloading the segments related to the detected reading speed, a sub-step to take into account the second data rates and the bandwidth current bandwidth on the communication link when choosing the first bandwidth encoding to be selected for the segment to be downloaded. In this mode, the management entity determines, following the detection of a quick read Therefore, with a shorter than normal spacing between segment reception times, the bandwidth required to download a segment for each encoding bitrate proposed in the description file is also affected. More precisely, the management entity obtains bitrates, called second encoding bitrates, that are higher than the first bitrates. Next, the management entity checks which second encoding bitrates are lower than the available bandwidth. To do this, the management entity obtains a set of relevant second encoding bitrates and selects one from this set. For example, the management entity selects the highest second encoding bitrate from this set that is lower than the available bandwidth, in order to ensure, despite a potential decrease in bitrate, a quality rendering.Following the comparison, the management entity retrieves the first encoding bitrate from the description file, which corresponds to the second selected encoding bitrate. Finally, a request to access a segment specifying this first encoding bitrate is transmitted. The invention can therefore lead to the reception of segments with a lower encoding bitrate than if the speed had been the reference read speed; however, this ensures uninterrupted playback. According to a variant of the first method, the second flow rates are obtained by performing the following steps a. a step of obtaining an acceleration factor related to the speed used; b. a step of applying the acceleration factor to the first encoding rates, respectively. This variant uses pre-calculated acceleration factors for each playback speed. In this first mode, taking the acceleration factor into account may lead to a selection of a lower encoding bitrate, and therefore lower image quality, but this reduction guarantees continuous playback (without freezing) of the video content. In one variant, the acceleration factor is updated following a change in the read speed. This variant allows the management module to be responsive to any change in read speed (x1, x1.05, x1.08, …). According to another variation of the first mode, when several accelerated reading speeds are possible and associated with respective acceleration speeds, the factor linked to the highest speed is applied to the initial encoding rates, regardless of the speed used during accelerated reading. This variation maintains the acceleration factor throughout the accelerated reading process, even if the speed varies as the content is read. This reduces both the calculations and the resource usage (battery, processor, etc.) of the reading device. From a material perspective, the invention relates to an access management entity for segmented content, the segments being downloadable on request, via a communication link, at times, called reference times, the request to access a segment including a first encoding bitrate chosen from a set of available first encoding bitrates, the received segments being readable at a reading speed that can vary from a reference reading speed, the entity comprising, a. An estimation module capable of estimating the bandwidth required for downloading the first segments during accelerated reading. b. A selection module capable of, upon detection of a reading speed other than the reference reading speed, selecting a first encoding rate taking into account the result of the estimation and the current bandwidth. According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a decoder comprising a management entity as defined above. According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a computer program suitable for implementation on an entity as defined above, the program comprising code instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs the steps of the selection process defined above. Finally, according to another material aspect, the invention relates to a data carrier on which at least one series of program code instructions has been stored for the execution of a management process as defined above. Such a recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include a storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording means, for example a USB flash drive or a hard drive. On the other hand, such a recording medium can be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by radio, or by other means, so that the computer program it contains can be executed remotely. The program according to the invention can, in particular, be uploaded to a network, for example, the Internet. Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the aforementioned display control method. The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Fig.1] Fig.1 represents a computer system on which an example of an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. [Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a simplified synoptic diagram of the material structure of the reading device [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] illustrates content comprising segmented elements to which several encoding rates are associated, respectively. [Fig.4] Fig.4 illustrates the steps of an embodiment of the method of the invention in the case where the reading speed is slightly increased. Detailed description of an example embodiment illustrating the invention: We now present, in relation to [Fig. 1], a progressive download architecture based on the use of adaptive HAS streaming according to an embodiment of the invention. It should be reiterated here that the invention is not limited to HAS technology but extends to all other data download technologies. The SYS computer system includes a multimedia stream reading device STB, for example a decoder connected to a TV playback terminal such as a playback device. In our example, the STB playback device can be connected to a port on the TV playback device or integrated into the playback device. For illustrative purposes, we have chosen a system in which the STB playback device is connected to the TV playback device via a port. In our example, the STB reading device is located in a local area network (LAN) managed by a home gateway (not shown in the figures). The local area network context is given as an example and could easily be transposed to a "best effort" type Internet network, a corporate network, etc. The gateway is capable of communicating via a telecommunications network such as a WAN known to a person skilled in the art. In our example, a digital content server (SRV) is located in the wide area network (WAN). The SRV receives, for example, digital television content channels from a broadcast television network (not shown), and / or video on demand, and makes them available to client terminals, in this case the STB playback device. In our example, the playback device is a client. In this client-server context, it is common to use adaptive streaming (HAS), a technique based on the HTTP protocol, to exchange data between the STB client terminal and the SRV content server. This type of technique makes it possible to offer good content quality to the user by taking into account bandwidth variations that may occur on the link between the STB client terminal and the service gateway, and / or between the gateway and the SRV content server. Figure 2 represents the architecture of an STB reading device. This device STB typically includes MEM memories associated with a CPU processor. The memories can be of the ROM (Read Only Memory) type, RAM (Random Access Memory) type, or Flash. The STB decoder includes a buffer memory, also called a pre-memory or "buffer" by those skilled in the art. The STB decoder can transmit content to be displayed on the TV display device via a COM2 communication module. This COM2 module is, for example, an HDMI connection. The STB decoder communicates with the gateway via an Ethernet module for wired local communication or via a WiFi radio module for wireless local communication with the GTW residential gateway. The module in question is referenced CMOI in [Fig.2]. The STB decoder includes an entity capable of managing downloads in adaptive streaming mode and therefore capable of requesting a progressive download of one of the contents at one of the qualities offered in a description file. The description file can be downloaded and saved, for example, in the MEM memories of the STB decoder or be located outside the STB decoder. The STB decoder also includes an MNG management unit, the function of which will be explained below. In our example, the adaptive download mode module introduced above is part of the MNG management module. The invention is not limited to this configuration. The two modules could very well have been separate. The STB decoder may also contain other modules such as an unspecified hard drive for storing video segments, a content access control module, a module for processing commands received from the smartphone, etc. Typically, as will be seen with reference to [Fig. 3], different qualities can be encoded for the same content within a channel, corresponding, for example, to different encoding bitrates. More generally, we will use the term "quality" to refer to a certain resolution of the digital content (spatial resolution, temporal resolution, quality level associated with video and / or audio compression) with a certain encoding bitrate. Each quality level is itself divided on the content server into temporal segments (or "segments" of content, in English "chunks," these three terms being used interchangeably throughout this document). The description of these different qualities and the associated temporal segmentation, as well as the content segments, is accessible via STB reading devices and made available to them through their internet addresses. Internet addresses identify segments on a network. Such an address can be a URI (Universal Resource Identifier) ​​known to a person skilled in the art. All of these Parameters (qualities, segment addresses, etc.) are generally grouped in a parameter file, called a description file or "MNF description file". Note that this parameter file can be a computer file or a set of descriptive information about the content, accessible at a specific address. In a progressive adaptive download environment, the STB (Standard Text Bin) can adapt its requests to receive and decode the user's requested content at the most suitable quality. For example, if we consider content available at the following three qualities: 1 Mb / s (Megabits per second), 1.95 Mb / s (N2), and 3 Mb / s (N3), and assuming the STB has a bandwidth of 5 Mb / s on the LI1 link (between the gateway and the server), the STB can request the content at any bitrate lower than this limit, such as 3 Mb / s. In general, with reference to [Fig.3], we note “Ci@N]” the content number i with quality Nj (for example the j-th level Nj of quality described in the description file). The number of encoding rates available per segment varies depending on the utility reading device. In [Fig. 3], for example, a main content C1 includes five available encoding rates N1-N5. In our example, the system also includes an encoder and a description file generator, which are not shown because they are not relevant to the description of the invention. The encoder's role is to encode digital content to obtain several segments and several representations for each segment. The encoded content is passed to the description file generator, which generates URI addresses for each segment created. In the illustrated example, the encoder and description file generator are installed in the SRV server. In our example, the STB reading device is a client terminal and can therefore communicate with the SRV content server to receive one or more pieces of content (films, documentaries, advertising sequences, etc.). In our example, to view content, the STB playback device obtains an address of the MF description file for the desired main content (for example, C1). In the following sections, we will assume that this file is a description file according to the MPEG-DASH standard, and we will refer interchangeably, depending on the context, to the expression "description file" or "manifest". Once the STB playback device has the segment addresses corresponding to the desired content, the STB playback device retrieves the segments by downloading them to those addresses. Note that this download is traditionally performed via an HTTP URL, but could also to operate through a universal address (URI) describing another protocol (dvb: / / Mmonsegmentdecontenu for example). When the S'TB decoder receives the segments, the segments are then displayed on the screen of the TV playback device. The digital content in question includes any content such as a television program broadcast on delay, or video on demand, or a personal video of the user, or any other equivalent multimedia content. In the embodiment described below, the content is, for example, a television program. The SRV content server stores CI content as segments. More precisely, the HAS content server exposes a C1 video as CIi@Nj segments or "chunks" encoded at different Nj encoding rates, where the index i designates a temporal identifier of the CIi@Nj "chunk" as explained above. The STB decoder's MNG management entity is responsible for retrieving "chunks" from the HAS content server, selecting the video quality Nj based on available network resources, specifically bandwidth. We will not describe in detail here how the MNG management entity chooses the encoding bitrate of the next video segment to be downloaded, as numerous algorithms exist for this purpose. However, it is worth noting that, most often, the general principle of such algorithms relies on downloading an initial segment with the lowest encoding bitrate offered in the description file and evaluating the retrieval time of this first segment. Based on this, the MNG management entity assesses whether, considering the segment size and retrieval time, network conditions allow the subsequent segment to be downloaded at a higher encoding bitrate.Some algorithms rely on a progressive increase in the quality level of downloaded content segments; others propose riskier approaches, with jumps in the encoding bitrates of successive segments. In the typical scenario, if a video segment lasts "n" seconds, the retrieval of the segment by the MNG management entity must not exceed "n" seconds to allow for uninterrupted playback of the content by the STB decoder. Therefore, the MNG management entity must find the best compromise between playback quality, and thus the highest possible encoding bitrate, and the segment download time, which must be sufficiently short to allow continuous playback on the TV playback device. The MNG management entity present on the STB reading device commands the downloading of a segment with an optimal encoding rate as described in more detail later. Initially, the MNG management module retrieves the MNF description file corresponding to the C1 video content in order to discover the available segments of the C1 video content, and the different video qualities (or encoding bitrates) associated with them. In the example in [Fig. 3], the main C1 content is offered as 2-second segments, with a first encoding bitrate NI = 1Mb / 5s, a second encoding bitrate N2 = 1.95Mb / 5s, a third encoding bitrate N3 = 3Mb / 5s, a fourth encoding bitrate N3 = 5SMb / s, etc. In a normal operating mode, the MNG management entity operates the upload, for example, of successive segments C11@NI (i.e. the first time segment at an encoding rate of 1Mb / s), then C12@N2 (i.e. the second time segment at an encoding rate of 1.95b / s), then C13@N3 (i.e. the third time segment at an encoding rate of 3Mb / 5s), etc. The reading speed of the segments may vary from a reference reading speed. The reference speed (denoted X1) is a "normal" playback speed. Sometimes the reading speed is slightly increased to allow content to be read faster than normal. It could also be decreased. According to the invention, the management module estimates the bandwidth that will be required for downloading the first segments during accelerated reading. Then, following the detection of a read speed other than the reference speed, the MNG management entity transmits a command to select a first encoding rate taking into account the result of the estimation and the current bandwidth. In our example, for bandwidth estimation, the MNG management entity determines for each encoding bitrate, called first encoding bitrates, of the description file the bandwidth that would be required for downloading the first encoding bitrates during an accelerated read. In a first embodiment, an acceleration factor is applied to the initial encoding rates to determine the bandwidth occupied by the segments due to accelerated reading. After applying the acceleration factor, the MNG management entity refers to the second encoding rates, compares this second rate to the available bandwidth, and selects a second encoding rate. The management entity then obtains a first encoding rate corresponding to the selected second encoding rate and can request access to a segment using this first encoding rate. Let's consider, for example, video segments that are two seconds long (2 sec.) and have an encoding bitrate of 5 Mb / s. During a "normal" (X1) playback of a segment encoded at 5 SMb / s, an average of 5 Mb / s of bandwidth is consumed on the LII link. This is because the 2-second video segment is played in 2 seconds; therefore, on average, one segment is downloaded every 2 seconds, which corresponds to the reading speed. When the playback speed of video segments is slightly increased, for example, 1.07 times faster (denoted *1.07) than the normal (or reference) speed, for the same segment duration of 2 seconds, playback lasts only 1.87 seconds (2 sec. / 1.07 sec. = 1.87 sec., " / " is the division symbol, "sec." is the unit of time, a second). Therefore, a segment must be downloaded approximately every 1.87 seconds (and no longer one segment every 2 seconds) to achieve smooth and continuous playback. The average bandwidth required to download a 2 sec segment encoded at S5Mb / s every 1.87 sec is therefore 2 / 1.87 * 5 = 5.34Mb / 5, which is greater than with the normal or reference read speed. When reading at high speed, the bandwidth used to consume a given quality is greater than in normal reading. Therefore, it is important to apply an acceleration factor to the initial encoding bitrates to avoid playback interruptions caused by empty segments in the buffer. The use of this factor will be illustrated with reference to [Fig. 4]. The invention anticipates a need for additional bandwidth related to the rapid reading of content. As explained above, the management entity will select the first encoding bitrate associated with a second encoding bitrate whose value is lower than the available bandwidth. Two embodiments will be presented below, one using an acceleration factor, the other, less costly in terms of computing resources, simply removing representations in the description file. Figure 4 shows a sequence of steps illustrating the first embodiment of the process of the invention. In this embodiment, as indicated above, an acceleration factor will be used to determine the new representation. In this mode, it is assumed that the representations (or encoding rates) available on the SRV server for each segment are three in number: 1Mb / s, 1.95Mb / s and 3Mb / s. The steps are as follows: In a first step, a REQ(C1) access request to CI content is transmitted from the STB decoder to the SRV content server. Following the transmission of the request, the STB reading device receives the MF description file with the different available MF encoding bitrates (1Mb / s, 1.95Mb / s and 3Mb / s) and can, thanks to this description file, access the different segments and the desired representations. The description file also indicates the duration of the segments, for example two seconds. With a segment duration of 2 seconds, the playback device must on average retrieve the segments in less than 2 seconds; otherwise, interruptions (freezes) in the video will inevitably occur. In a third step, the MNG management entity obtains the value of the current bandwidth (represented by a cylinder on [Fig.4]) which is for example 2Mby / s at that moment and selects a segment with a lower representation, namely 1.95Mb / s. It is assumed that the third step is repeated several times with respective current bandwidths; representations are selected each time based on the current bandwidth. At a given moment, a request for accelerated reading (X1.05) is received by the MNG management entity. Accelerated reading could also have been started without a prior reading phase at normal speed. In our example, the reading is accelerated and the acceleration factor is noted (x1.05). In the case of accelerated playback, the display time of the video contained in a segment is no longer 2 seconds in our case, but approximately 1.9 seconds (2 sec / 1.05 = 1.9 s). The playback device must therefore consider the segment duration to be 1.9 seconds, not 2 seconds. Consequently, the playback device must request segments at least every 1.9 seconds to avoid playback interruptions, resulting in a greater bandwidth requirement. As mentioned previously, for a given encoding bitrate, the new playback speed (1.05x) will require more bandwidth than if the speed were the reference speed. The second encoding rates are obtained by multiplying the reading speed by the encoding rate considered: 1.05 x Ni (i=1,.,5). More precisely, if the new read speed is (X1.05), the second encoding rate will be the first rate multiplied by 1.05, i.e. For the first bitrate of 1 Mb / s, the second corresponding bitrate is 1.05 Mb / s. For the first bitrate of 1.95 Mb / s, the second corresponding bitrate is 2.04 Mb / s. For the first bitrate of 3 Mb / s, the second corresponding bitrate is 3.15 Mb / s. Assuming the current bandwidth is always 2 Mb / s, only the 1.05 Mb / s bitrate is less than the available bandwidth. In this case, the first bitrate corresponding to the second bitrate of 1.05 Mb / s, namely 1 Mb / s, is selected. A request to access the segment with a quality of 1 Mb / s is transmitted to the server. In our example, the processing can be performed by the MNG management entity or by an external entity such as the SRV server. If the processing is carried out by the SRV server, the latter receives a data representing a read speed (X1.n) and can, thanks to this data, carry out the selection of the first encoding rate as indicated above. According to one variant, when several accelerated read speeds exist, for example X1.05 and 1.07, upon detection of a speed increase, the highest factor is always applied to the initial speeds. This variant is advantageous because it avoids performing calculations when the acceleration speed varies during reading. In this case, subsequent speeds will be compared to the current bandwidth: For the first speed of 1Mb / s, the corresponding second speed is 1.07 Mb / s For the first speed of 1.95 Mb / s, the corresponding second speed is 2.08 Mb / s For the first speed of 3 Mb / s, the corresponding second speed is 3.21 Mb / s Since the current bandwidth is 2 Mb / s, the second chosen bitrate, lower than the bandwidth, is 1.07 Mb / s. The first bitrate chosen for downloading will always be 1 Mb / s during accelerated reading, even if the speed drops to X1.05. Finally, it should be noted that the MNG management entity is equipped with the following modules for the implementation of the invention: an estimation module capable of estimating the bandwidth required for downloading the first segments during accelerated playback a selection module capable of, upon detection of a reading speed other than the reference reading speed, selecting a first encoding rate taking into account the result of the estimation and the current bandwidth. Finally, it should be noted that the term module or entity can refer to a software component, a hardware component, or a set of hardware and software components. A software component itself corresponds to one or more computer programs or subprograms, or more generally, to any element of a program capable of implementing a function or set of functions as described for the modules in question. Similarly, a hardware component corresponds to any element of a hardware assembly capable of implementing a function or set of functions for the module in question (integrated circuit, smart card, memory card, etc.).

Claims

Demands

1. Method for managing access to segmented content, the segments being capable of being downloaded on request, via a communication link (LI1), at specific times, called reference times, the request to access a segment including an initial encoding bitrate chosen from a set of first available encoding rates, the received segments can be read at a reading speed that may vary compared to a speed of reference reading, the process including, a step to estimate the bandwidth that will be needed for the downloading the first segments during accelerated playback, upon detection of a reading speed other than the reading speed of reference, a step of selecting a first encoding bitrate taking taking into account the result of the estimation and the current bandwidth.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that, if the speed of reading is higher than the reference reading speed, the step of selection of the first debit includes a sub-step of obtaining new encoding rates, known as second encoding rates, based on the first encoding rates and obtained by taking into account the duration between the moments of television loading of segments related to the detected read speed, a sub-step to take into account the second data rates and the bandwidth current bandwidth on the communication link (LI1) when choosing the first encoding bit rate to be selected for the segment to be downloaded.

3. Management method according to claim 2, characterized in that the Second flow rates are obtained by performing the following steps a step of obtaining an acceleration factor related to speed used; a step involving the application of the acceleration factor to the initial flow rates encoding, respectively.

4. A management method according to claim 3, wherein the factor acceleration is updated following a change in speed reading.

5. A management method according to claim 3, characterized in that, when multiple accelerated reading speeds are possible and associated with respective acceleration reading speeds, the factor linked to the highest speed is applied to the initial flow rates encoding regardless of the speed used during reading accelerated.

6. Management entity (MNG) for access to segmented content, the segments being able to be downloaded on request, via a com- link communication, at specific times, called reference times, the access request to a segment including a first encoding bitrate chosen from a set of initial available encoding rates, the received segments that can be read at a reading speed that can vary compared to a reference reading speed, the entity comprising, An estimation module capable of estimating the bandwidth that will be generated necessary for downloading the first segments during playback accelerated A selection module capable of, upon detection of a reading speed other than the reference reading speed, select a first encoding rate taking into account the result of the estimation and the current bandwidth.

7. Decoder (STB) comprising a management entity (MNG) such as defined in claim 6.

8. Computer program capable of being implemented on an entity of management (MNG) as defined in claim 6, the program including code instructions which, when executed by a processor, carries out the process steps defined in claim L.

9. Data carrier on which at least one series has been stored program code instructions for executing a process according to the claim |.